Barons' Thompson promoted to Edmonton

July 16, 2014

The Edmonton Oilers announced today that they have appointed Rocky Thompson as an assistant coach.

Thompson, 36, joins the Oilers after spending the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons.

Thompson began his coaching career in the Western Hockey League with the Edmonton Oil Kings, where he served as an assistant coach from 2007-10. With the Barons, Thompson has helped the team advance to the playoffs in each of their four seasons of existence.

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, the Calgary, Alta., native played 10 seasons of professional hockey, including 566 games in the AHL with Saint John, Louisville, Hershey, San Antonio, Toronto/Edmonton and Peoria. His 1,919 penalty minutes rank 10th all-time.

The Calgary Flames drafted Thompson in the third round of the 1995 NHL Draft and he appeared in 25 NHL games with Calgary and Florida.